Physical Therapy Assistant

AZTEC MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Description

Physical Therapist Assistant

Job Summary

The Physical Therapist Assistant supports students' access, participation, mobility, and functional performance in the educational environment. The assistant provides physical therapy interventions and related services under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist and in accordance with the supervising therapist's plan of care, students' educational plans, applicable law, and District procedures.

Reports To:

Director of Exceptional Programs; works under the clinical direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree from a physical therapist assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
• Current New Mexico license as a Physical Therapist Assistant in good standing.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification within the timeline established by the District.
• Ability to follow a physical therapist's plan of care, instructions, and established clinical and educational procedures.
• Demonstrated communication, organization, documentation, and technology skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with student records, privacy, and professional practice requirements.
• Ability to travel between District sites and perform the essential functions of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience providing pediatric or school-based physical therapy services.
• Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, individualized education programs (IEPs), and the role of related services in schools.
• Experience with mobility, positioning, adaptive equipment, orthotics, transfer techniques, and accessibility in educational settings.
• Experience collaborating with students, families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.
• Strong recommendations from previous employers or professionals familiar with the applicant's clinical judgment, professionalism, and workplace performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide physical therapy interventions and related tasks pursuant to the plan of care established by the supervising physical therapist.
• Implement activities that support students' functional mobility, positioning, balance, coordination, strength, endurance, transfers, and safe access to educational environments.
• Follow treatment parameters, precautions, contraindications, and safety procedures established by the supervising physical therapist.
• Observe student performance, collect objective data, monitor responses to intervention, and promptly report significant changes, concerns, or lack of progress to the supervising physical therapist.
• Document services accurately and within required timelines, including intervention data, student response, attendance, and other records required by the District or supervising therapist.
• Contribute observations and treatment data to the supervising physical therapist and educational team for progress reporting, IEP review, and service planning, within the assistant's lawful scope of practice.
• Assist with training students and, when directed by the supervising physical therapist, families and school personnel in safe mobility, transfers, positioning, exercises, use of adaptive equipment, and carryover activities.
• Inspect, clean, prepare, and maintain therapy equipment and materials; report damaged, unsafe, or malfunctioning equipment promptly.
• Support safe use and fit of mobility, positioning, and adaptive equipment as directed by the supervising physical therapist.
• Collaborate professionally with the supervising physical therapist, teachers, educational assistants, nurses, administrators, families, and other service providers.
• Participate in IEP or student-support meetings when requested and provide information consistent with the assistant's role and scope of practice.
• Maintain student dignity, privacy, and safety and follow infection-control, universal precaution, emergency, and student-specific health and safety procedures.
• Maintain required licensure, certifications, and continuing education and participate in District training, meetings, and professional development.
• Follow all Board policies, administrative regulations, employee handbook requirements, professional standards, and lawful directives.
• Do not independently evaluate or diagnose students; determine eligibility; establish, modify, or discharge a plan of care; or perform duties reserved to a licensed physical therapist.
• Perform other related duties within the lawful scope of practice as assigned by the Director of Special Education, supervising physical therapist, or designee.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises the following positions: None.

Confidentiality

Due to the sensitive nature of this position and access to student education and health information, the highest degree of confidentiality is required. The employee must comply with FERPA, applicable health-information requirements, professional ethics, and District policy.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for eligible individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Please see Minimum and Desired Qualifications.

Communication and Language Skills

• Ability to read, understand, and follow plans of care, student educational plans, technical procedures, safety protocols, professional standards, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, objective, and timely service documentation and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with students, families, staff, administrators, and service providers.
• Ability to explain assigned procedures, precautions, and equipment use in understandable language.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to use basic mathematical concepts and measurements relevant to service delivery, data collection, equipment use, scheduling, and documentation.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, staff, peers, administrators, and community providers.
• Ability to follow delegated treatment activities precisely and recognize when student responses require consultation with the supervising physical therapist.
• Ability to use computers, electronic records, and other technology to accomplish job responsibilities.
• Ability to organize materials, schedules, service records, and assigned responsibilities efficiently.
• Ability to use proper body mechanics and safe techniques when positioning, transferring, or assisting students and handling equipment.
• Ability to work independently within assigned responsibilities while maintaining required supervision.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel between District sites based on student and program needs.

Analytical and Reasoning Ability

• Ability to observe student performance, collect relevant data, recognize changes or safety concerns, and communicate findings to the supervising physical therapist.
• Ability to interpret written, verbal, or demonstrated clinical instructions and apply them consistently within the established plan of care.
• Ability to respond appropriately to changing school environments and student needs without exceeding the assistant's scope of practice.

Temperaments

• Ability to work patiently, respectfully, and effectively with students who have varied physical, developmental, behavioral, communication, and health needs.
• Ability to perform a variety of duties while maintaining accuracy, safety, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals who may express differing opinions or priorities.
• Ability to remain calm, use sound judgment, and perform effectively in stressful or urgent situations.
• Ability to receive supervision, feedback, and direction professionally and make timely adjustments.

Physical Attributes

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for eligible individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee frequently stands, walks, bends, kneels, reaches, and uses hands and arms; may assist with student transfers, positioning, and mobility; and must use proper body mechanics, available equipment, and assistance when appropriate. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, peripheral, and depth-perception vision.

Work Environment

Work is performed in schools, classrooms, therapy areas, offices, playgrounds, vehicles, and other District environments. The employee may encounter noise, moving equipment, bodily fluids, communicable illness, uneven surfaces, inclement weather, and students with unpredictable movement or behavior. The employee must follow all health, safety, lifting, infection-control, and emergency procedures and may be required to travel between District sites.

Certificates, Licenses

• Current New Mexico Physical Therapist Assistant license in good standing.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification as required by the District.
• Valid New Mexico driver's license and completion of District defensive-driving requirements when operating a District-owned vehicle.

Term of Employment

Contract length, work calendar, schedule, compensation, and FLSA status will be established by the District based on program and student needs, the Board-approved salary schedule, and the applicable employment agreement.

Evaluation

Performance of duty will be evaluated at least annually by the Director of Special Education or designee, with input from the supervising physical therapist, in accordance with Aztec School Board Policy.

Physical Rating Level

This position requires the employee to function at a "Medium" physical capacity as defined by applicable workers' compensation standards. Medium physical capacity includes the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally or up to 25 pounds frequently. Assistance or mechanical equipment must be used when a student, device, or other load exceeds safe individual handling limits.

Physical Requirement Details

Definitions: R = Rarely = 1% to 9% of an eight-hour day
O = Occasionally = 10% to 33% of an eight-hour day
F = Frequently = 34% to 66% of an eight-hour day
C = Continuously = 67% to 100% of an eight-hour day

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this job classification.